50+ Free Things to Do In Cincinnati for April 2018

Looking for some free things to do in Cincinnati for the month of April? Put some of these great free events in Cincinnati onto YOUR April calendar!

April 3:

Workout on the Green at Washington Park: No contracts. No excuses. Just FREE fitness in Washington Park. All classes are led by licensed, trained instructors. Workouts take place in the south end of the park by the bandstand. Tuesdays:6pm: HIRT (High Intensity Resistence Training) Bootcamp with The LB Rookwood and 7pm: Hip Hop Yoga with The LB Rookwood

Music Live @Lunch: At 12:10 p.m. each Tuesday, September through May, Christ Church Catherdral offers free Music Live@Lunch. The concerts feature a variety of music, ranging from classical to jazz and music of other cultures. You may bring your lunch or purchase one at the cathedral for $5.

Workout on the Green at Washington Park: No contracts. No excuses. Just FREE fitness in Washington Park. All classes are led by licensed, trained instructors. Workouts take place in the south end of the park by the bandstand. Wednesdays: 6pm: Strength Bootcamp with Central Parkway YMCA and 7pm: Turbokick with Cindy Thomas Fitness

Animals Alive: Discover what kinds of animals may live in your own backyard and meet a few up close! Woodland Mound/Seasongood Nature Center* (Free), 1pm.

FSQ FIT: (FSQ = Fountain Square) presented by the Flying Pig Marathon, FSQ Fit will offer one free fitness class every Thursday from April 5th until April 26th from 6p-7p. Each hour-long class consists of a short warm-up, 10 dances that increase in cardio intensity, and a toning session. Each week students learn new choreography while continuing to work on 9 other dances. No class reservations required for FSQ FIT.

Tunes and Blooms at Cincinnati Zoo: See a collection of Cincinnati’s finest and most respected music veterans playing together in the Zoo’s beautiful gardens. On Thursdays during Tunes & Blooms zoo admission is free after 5pm. Parking is $10. Weather dependent. NOTE: Parking is NOT free and the entire zoo is not open.

Young Adult Lab at Contemporary Art Museum: Stop by the UnMuseum on the 6th floor for a free drop-in art making program for young adults. Join us every Thursday from 4:00-6:00pm. Experiment with mix media materials, make a friend and create something new! All art supplies will be provided by the CAC. *YAL combines with Drink and Draw on the first Thursday of each month. Check in at the front desk for the location on these days.

April 7:

Agents of Discovery: Find a new way to combine technology and the outdoors. Download the free Agents of Discovery app to play an interactive scavenger hunt throughout the park. Stop in Sharon Centre if you need help or head out on your own. Either way, end your hunt at Sharon Centre for a special prize! Sharon Woods/Sharon Centre* (Free), 10am – 3pm.

Tillium Trails Wildflower Hike: Join in for a hike into the Trillium Trails Nature Preserve and search for wildflowers and other signs of spring. This 1.5-hour hike involves some steep areas and off-trail walking. We will meet and carpool to the hike site. For ages 18 and up. Glenwood Gardens/Gatehouse* (Free, register by 4/5). 10:30am – noon.

Family First Saturday: Under the Big Top at Cincinnati Art Museum: Performances, artist demonstrations, storytelling, scavenger hunts, tours, and hands-on art making activities are just the start of the fun for the whole family. Lions, tigers, bears, oh my! Come take part in our Circus during this month’s Family First. (no time listed)

CAC @21C – Join Contemporary Arts Center docents for a half-hour guided tour of the 21C galleries followed by a half-hour tour of the Contemporary Arts Center exhibitions. After the tour, explore the CAC on your own since your tour includes free museum admission. Meet in the lobby of the 21C. Free. 1-2pm.

April 8:

The Buzz on Native Bees: Did you know there are over 500 native bee species in Ohio? Come learn all about them, the important role they play in the environment and how much of our food is dependent on them. Stick around to build a bee house for your yard. (Program: free; Bee houses: $5/each) Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve/Ellenwood Nature Barn*, 2-3:30pm.

The Cincinnati Dulcimer Society invites you to enjoy the sweet music of the mountain dulcimer. All ages are welcome to join in on the jamming and singing. Sharon Woods/Sharon Centre* (Free), 3-4pm.

April 10:

Workout on the Green at Washington Park: No contracts. No excuses. Just FREE fitness in Washington Park. All classes are led by licensed, trained instructors. Workouts take place in the south end of the park by the bandstand. Tuesdays:6pm: HIRT (High Intensity Resistence Training) Bootcamp with The LB Rookwood and 7pm: Hip Hop Yoga with The LB Rookwood

Music Live @Lunch: At 12:10 p.m. each Tuesday, September through May, Christ Church Catherdral offers free Music Live@Lunch. The concerts feature a variety of music, ranging from classical to jazz and music of other cultures. You may bring your lunch or purchase one at the cathedral for $5.

April 11:

Workout on the Green at Washington Park: No contracts. No excuses. Just FREE fitness in Washington Park. All classes are led by licensed, trained instructors. Workouts take place in the south end of the park by the bandstand. Wednesdays: 6pm: Strength Bootcamp with Central Parkway YMCA and 7pm: Turbokick with Cindy Thomas Fitness.

Insights Lecture (from Cincinnati Museum Center): Sustainable Energy and Society. What is the role of energy in your life? University of Cincinnati Professor of Chemistry and Physics Dr. Thomas Beck will deliver a fun, interactive experience as he explores different types of energy sources and their uses in the modern age. Using simple calculations, discover more about energy usage, energy supply and the effect of energy availability on society. 7pm at University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Ave., Rieveschl Hall, Room 502. This event is free, but spaces are limited and registration is required. Click here to register online.

FSQ FIT: (FSQ = Fountain Square) presented by the Flying Pig Marathon, FSQ Fit will offer one free fitness class every Thursday from April 5th until April 26th from 6p-7p. Each hour-long class consists of a short warm-up, 10 dances that increase in cardio intensity, and a toning session. Each week students learn new choreography while continuing to work on 9 other dances. No class reservations required for FSQ FIT.

Tunes and Blooms at Cincinnati Zoo: See a collection of Cincinnati’s finest and most respected music veterans playing together in the Zoo’s beautiful gardens. On Thursdays during Tunes & Blooms zoo admission is free after 5pm. Parking is $10. Weather dependent. NOTE: Parking is NOT free and the entire zoo is not open.

Young Adult Lab at Contemporary Art Museum: Stop by the UnMuseum on the 6th floor for a free drop-in art making program for young adults. Join us every Thursday from 4:00-6:00pm. Experiment with mix media materials, make a friend and create something new! All art supplies will be provided by the CAC.

April 14:

Walk with a Doc: Take steps for a better you and learn health tips from a local doctor along the way. Sharon Woods*/Fitness Trail (Free), 11am – 12:30pm

Honey Bees: The bees are flying and it’s time to do the spring check of the beehives. Drop by anytime this hour to take a look inside the hives and learn about honeybees. Program cancels in inclement weather out of respect for the bees’ health. For ages 7 and up. Winton Woods/Parky’s Farm* (Free), 1:30 – 2:30 pm.

Celebrate Slow Art Day at the Cincinnati Art Museum! This celebrated global event encourages visitors of all ages to slow down and discover the joy of looking at and learning about art. We will have a guided tour from 3pm-5pm where we will experience slow-looking through different activities. Please join us this day as we look and explore what our galleries have to offer.

ArtsWave Days continues with “Art Walks in Hamilton”Self-guided tours of public art and related programming throughout the afternoon in three different locations. Starting at the Fitton Center (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.), you’ll get your map and tour the new StreetSpark murals as you take in Hamilton’s beautiful Renaissance. After that, head over to Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum, which will be offering free admission today. Schedule can be found here. 10:30am – 2pm.

CAC @21C – Join Contemporary Arts Center docents for a half-hour guided tour of the 21C galleries followed by a half-hour tour of the Contemporary Arts Center exhibitions. After the tour, explore the CAC on your own since your tour includes free museum admission. Meet in the lobby of the 21C. Free. 1-2pm.

April 15:

Third Sunday Fundays at Taft Museum of Art: April’s theme: Wacky Art (1-4pm). Solve art puzzles at the Art Cart, and find new and silly ways to look at the Taft’s artworks. Sculpt your own Dr. Seuss-inspired character to take home, and at 2 p.m., The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati on Tour will get you in a crazy mood with a performance of Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat. Stop by the petting zoo at 3 p.m. and meet a kangaroo from Honey Hill Farm. Most activities are ongoing throughout the afternoon, so stop by when you have time and stay as long as you like. FREE. No reservations required.

April 17:

Workout on the Green at Washington Park: No contracts. No excuses. Just FREE fitness in Washington Park. All classes are led by licensed, trained instructors. Workouts take place in the south end of the park by the bandstand. Tuesdays:6pm: HIRT (High Intensity Resistence Training) Bootcamp with The LB Rookwood and 7pm: Hip Hop Yoga with The LB Rookwood.

Music Live @Lunch: At 12:10 p.m. each Tuesday, September through May, Christ Church Catherdral offers free Music Live@Lunch. The concerts feature a variety of music, ranging from classical to jazz and music of other cultures. You may bring your lunch or purchase one at the cathedral for $5.

April 18:

Artbrary: Do you love to read? Love art? Join the Cincinnati Public Library and the Contemporary Arts Center staff for Artbrary, a new event designed for young adults. Meet up at the Contemporary Art Center to discuss art, books, music, and more, then view related artworks from the CAC exhibitions. Join us as we tour the artist Glenn Kaino’s work, learn about a new technique called kitbashing and create collages inspired by this unique art process. FREE. No registration required. 4-5pm.

Workout on the Green at Washington Park: No contracts. No excuses. Just FREE fitness in Washington Park. All classes are led by licensed, trained instructors. Workouts take place in the south end of the park by the bandstand. Wednesdays: 6pm: Strength Bootcamp with Central Parkway YMCA and 7pm: Turbokick with Cindy Thomas Fitness.

April 19:

FSQ FIT: (FSQ = Fountain Square) presented by the Flying Pig Marathon, FSQ Fit will offer one free fitness class every Thursday from April 5th until April 26th from 6p-7p. Each hour-long class consists of a short warm-up, 10 dances that increase in cardio intensity, and a toning session. Each week students learn new choreography while continuing to work on 9 other dances. No class reservations required for FSQ FIT.

Tunes and Blooms at Cincinnati Zoo: See a collection of Cincinnati’s finest and most respected music veterans playing together in the Zoo’s beautiful gardens. On Thursdays during Tunes & Blooms zoo admission is free after 5pm. Parking is $10. Weather dependent. NOTE: Parking is NOT free and the entire zoo is not open.

Young Adult Lab at Contemporary Art Museum: Stop by the UnMuseum on the 6th floor for a free drop-in art making program for young adults. Join us every Thursday from 4:00-6:00pm. Experiment with mix media materials, make a friend and create something new! All art supplies will be provided by the CAC.

April 20:

Brown Bag Lectures:America’s Story from Depression to Super Power. Relive the incredible transformation from depression era despair, through the enormous come-back victory of the WWII years, featuring Cincinnati’s contribution to this unprecedented time in history. A Cincinnati Museum Center event held at Forest Park Senior Center starting at noon.

April 21:

Earth Day Tree Planting: Trees provide us with shade, oxygen and natural habitat. Plus, they sure are pretty to look at! Celebrate Earth Day by helping replace a split rail fence with a living wall of native trees. Be sure to stay afterward for a surprise animal guest and a tasty lunch! All ages welcome. Mitchell Memorial Forest/Stone Memorial Shelter* (Free, register by 4/18), 9am – noon

Birding 101: To be a “birder” requires little but the appreciation and wonder of observing birds. The tools can be inexpensive and based on a birder’s preference. This base- level birding program will graduate attendees to the ranks of beginning birders. Woodland Mound/Seasongood Nature Center* (Free), 1-2pm.

CAC @21C – Join Contemporary Arts Center docents for a half-hour guided tour of the 21C galleries followed by a half-hour tour of the Contemporary Arts Center exhibitions. After the tour, explore the CAC on your own since your tour includes free museum admission. Meet in the lobby of the 21C. Free. 1-2pm.

Experience History in Bloom at Spring Grove Cemetery, an afternoon filled with history, heritage and horticulture, noon to 4pm. Enjoy a variety of tours to delight all interests and ages. They’ll turn back time as horse drawn carriages ride through the arboretum on a beautiful Spring Sunday. The rides begin at noon and run consecutively until 3:30PM. Along the route see some of Spring Grove’s Champion trees, beautiful blossoms, lush green foliage, art, architecture and wildlife. You will even meet some of our more notable ‘residents.’

Earth Day Scavenger Hunt: Every day is Earth Day in the park, but come celebrate the official day with us and learn about ways you can help protect the earth. Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet at the nature center and return it by 4 p.m. for a prize. Woodland Mound/ Seasongood Nature Center* (Free), 12-4pm.

Earth Day OTR: 3CDC in partnership with Keep Cincinnati Beautiful will be offering a fun filled day of eco-friendly activities and vendors in the park from 12-5pm. The event will feature live international music, food and drink, eco-friendly products & goods for purchase, and a range of activities for both children and adults.

Annual Running of the Goats: Join in starting at 2pm for a fun day, celebrating our great community! Enjoy 25+ local food and craft vendors, live bands, a kids tent, the Westside plant sale, some fine craft beer, and- GOATS!!!! The Goebel Goats will leave for their annual goat run to their summer home in Goebel Park at 6pm. They will need you to help guide them! Stay tuned for further details! Hellman Creative Center in NKy.

April 24:

Workout on the Green at Washington Park: No contracts. No excuses. Just FREE fitness in Washington Park. All classes are led by licensed, trained instructors. Workouts take place in the south end of the park by the bandstand. Tuesdays:6pm: HIRT (High Intensity Resistence Training) Bootcamp with The LB Rookwood and 7pm: Hip Hop Yoga with The LB Rookwood

Music Live @Lunch: At 12:10 p.m. each Tuesday, September through May, Christ Church Catherdral offers free Music Live@Lunch. The concerts feature a variety of music, ranging from classical to jazz and music of other cultures. You may bring your lunch or purchase one at the cathedral for $5.

April 25:

Workout on the Green at Washington Park: No contracts. No excuses. Just FREE fitness in Washington Park. All classes are led by licensed, trained instructors. Workouts take place in the south end of the park by the bandstand. Wednesdays: 6pm: Strength Bootcamp with Central Parkway YMCA and 7pm: Turbokick with Cindy Thomas Fitness.

FSQ FIT: (FSQ = Fountain Square) presented by the Flying Pig Marathon, FSQ Fit will offer one free fitness class every Thursday from April 5th until April 26th from 6p-7p. Each hour-long class consists of a short warm-up, 10 dances that increase in cardio intensity, and a toning session. Each week students learn new choreography while continuing to work on 9 other dances. No class reservations required for FSQ FIT.

Tunes and Blooms at Cincinnati Zoo: See a collection of Cincinnati’s finest and most respected music veterans playing together in the Zoo’s beautiful gardens. On Thursdays during Tunes & Blooms zoo admission is free after 5pm. Parking is $10. Weather dependent. NOTE: Parking is NOT free and the entire zoo is not open.

Young Adult Lab at Contemporary Art Museum: Stop by the UnMuseum on the 6th floor for a free drop-in art making program for young adults. Join us every Thursday from 4:00-6:00pm. Experiment with mix media materials, make a friend and create something new! All art supplies will be provided by the CAC.

April 27:

Creek Hike: Cool off while wandering in this beautiful stream looking for creatures of the past, fossils,to current day inhabitants that call this aquatic habitat their home. Discover which invertebrates give us a clue to the water quality and health of the stream. Wear sturdy, waterproof boots if possible. French Park – meet at the first parking lot closest to the intersection of Ridge and Section Roads. FREE but reservations are required. For more information and reservations, call 321-6070. 1-2:30pm.

Healthy Kids Day: Get moving and enjoy Healthy Kids Day with fitness class demos, scavenger hunts, an inflatable bounce house, wagon rides and more. Great Parks of Hamilton County will be joined by the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. Winton Woods/Parky’s Farm* (Free) 10am – 2pm.

Walk With a Doc: Take steps for a better you and learn health tips from a local doctor along the way. Immerse yourself in nature to improve your mental health. Winton Woods/Kingfisher Trail* (Free), 11am-12:30pm.

Family Festival: Topsy Turvy Houses at Contemporary Arts Center. The artist Glenn Kaino turns magical illusions into art! We’ll be creating some illusions of our own with the help of a special magician from Cincinnati Circus. Join us as we experiment with invisible paint, construct large mosaics out of playing cards and design magic wands inspired by Kaino’s Wands Bygone series. The Mini Microcinema will be joining us from 1:00-2:00pm with a collection of illusion inspired short films for children playing in the UnMuseum. 12-3pm.

CAC @21C – Join Contemporary Arts Center docents for a half-hour guided tour of the 21C galleries followed by a half-hour tour of the Contemporary Arts Center exhibitions. After the tour, explore the CAC on your own since your tour includes free museum admission. Meet in the lobby of the 21C. Free. 1-2pm.

April 29:

Chamber Music Series at Taft Museum of Art: April’s concert will feature 4-Way, Cincinnati’s String Quartet. Musicians include Violinists Sujean Kim and Jack Bogard, violist Kevin Boden, and cellist Nat Chaitkin. They will play favorites like Mozart’s final string quartet and folk music from around the world. 2:30pm. FREE. Due to popularity of these concerts, reservations are required: click here or call (513) 684-4516.

Kids’ Fishing Derby at Triple Creek: This family-friendly tournament is a great time to teach kids to fish. Tagged fish receive a trophy, all fish receive a certificate and all participants earn a derby button. Equipment is not provided, but bait will be available for purchase. For ages 16 and under. 8am – 3pm.

Fossil Quest: Cincinnati is famous for its ancient geology. Take your family on a scavenger hunt for fossils and win a prize! Sharon Woods/Sharon Centre* (Free), 2-3pm.

All events were accurate at the time of this posting but things do happen and events do occasionally get canceled or postponed. You should always double check with the event source before you head out the door. Links for each event are provided so that you can be sure the date is still accurate before you head out.